Pusher tray system

ABSTRACT

A container or tray for use with a pusher dispensing system is provided. The container or tray holds a number of items for sale at a retail store. The container or tray includes a channel configured to accommodate a pusher arm in the pusher dispensing system so that the entire tray can be easily and quickly loaded onto the system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/448,685 filed Jan. 20, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application is generally directed to a container or tray that can be used with a pusher dispensing system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Currently, a pusher dispensing system (i.e., a dispensing system having a spring activated pusher arm for continuously pushing items on a display to the front) is hand loaded one item at a time. The items must be removed from any packaging used to transport the items and then placed into the dispensing system. This can take a lot of time and increase labor costs for stores using such systems.

The present invention provides a container or tray that can hold a number of items and be used directly in the pusher dispensing system, thus eliminating the need to load the items onto the system one at a time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tray or container for holding a plurality of items that can be quickly and easily inserted directly into a retail shelf pusher system. The tray includes a slot to enable the pusher to fully actuate within the confines of the tray. This enables quickly loading the pusher dispensing system with all of the items in the tray at once (rather than placing items from a box or other container, one at a time, into the pusher system). This tray will save time for store associates and employees when restocking or replenishing the pusher dispensing systems with product, as well as provide additional branding space for the product being held in the pusher dispensing system.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system is provided. The tray includes a bottom panel or wall, a first side wall extending upward from a first side of the bottom panel, a second side wall extending upward from a second side of the bottom panel, a back wall extending upward from a back end of the bottom panel, and a front wall extending upward from a front end of the bottom panel. The bottom panel includes a channel configured to receive a pusher arm of a pusher dispensing system. The channel in the bottom wall extends from the back end to part way to the front end.

Additionally, the back wall can also include a channel configured to receive the pusher arm. The channel in the back wall can be contiguous with the channel in the bottom panel.

The tray can be formed from paperboard. Similarly, the tray can be formed from plastic, or a corrugated paper or corrugated plastic or other similar material. The tray can be formed from a single blank of material.

The tray can also include a front wall. The front wall can have a first height and the first and second side walls (and the back wall) can have a second height greater than the first height.

The tray can further be formed having a film covering the bottom channel and/or the back channel. The film can be clear or translucent.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a container for transporting items and converting to a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system is provided. The container comprises a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom wall having a detachably connected panel for forming an open channel in the bottom wall when removed, and a top wall. In addition to the bottom channel, the back wall can include a detachably connected panel for forming an open channel in the back wall when removed. The open channel in the back wall can be contiguous with the open channel in the bottom wall.

The top wall of the container can include a first portion that is detachably connected. The remaining portion of the top wall can remain on the container. Alternatively, the entire top wall can be detachably connected.

The top wall can be formed from a first flap connected to the first side wall by a perforated fold line and a second flap connected to the second side wall by a perforated fold line. If only a portion of the top wall is detachably connected, the perforations will only extend through part of the fold line. Additionally, the flaps will have perforations extending across the flaps proximate.

The container can include a front wall. The front hall can have a first height and the first and second side walls (and back wall) can have a second height greater than the first height.

The container can further include a film over the open channel in the bottom wall and/or the open channel in the back wall. The film can be clear or translucent.

The detachably connected panels or portions can be connected by a frangible connection or perforation (e.g., the frangible connection or perforation can be formed during an initial die cut of the blank for creating the tray or container). Other means can be used to connect the detachably connected portions to the container or tray.

The container can be formed from a single blank of material. The material can be paperboard, corrugated paper or corrugated plastic, or other similar material(s).

In operation, removal of the panels forming the bottom channel, back channel and top wall (or portion thereof) convert the container into a tray that can be used in the pusher dispensing system. This allows for easily loading the pusher dispensing system with the items or goods that were transported in the container and reduces the time otherwise required to load each item or good individually into the dispensing system.

Other aspects of the invention are described herein and are shown in the Figures and Attachments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of tray for use in a pusher dispensing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pusher dispensing system alongside a tray of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tray in the pusher dispensing system;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of container containing goods that is formed from the blank of FIG. 11 with a partially opened back panel and bottom panel, the container is convertible into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 12 with the bottom and back panel completely removed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 13 with a top panel partially removed;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 14 with the top panel completely removed;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a blank for forming a container that can be converted into a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the container having a film that remains after removal of a bottom panel;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 16 partially assembled into a container for receiving goods;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the partially assembled container of FIG. 16 with goods placed therein;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 18 with the container fully assembled enclosing the goods;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 19 with a top panel removed;

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 20 with a bottom and back panel being removed;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 21 being inserted into a pusher dispensing system;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 22 in the pusher dispensing system;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 23 after use;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a container with goods formed from the blank of FIG. 11 that is not completely assembled;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 25 fully assembled;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the container of FIG. 15 in a pusher dispensing system; and,

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the container of FIG. 15 in the pusher dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIGS. 1-3 show a tray 10 in accordance with the present invention. The tray 10 includes a bottom wall or panel 12, a first side wall 14 extending upward from a first side of the bottom wall 12, a second side wall 16 extending upward from a second side of the bottom panel 12, a front wall 18 extending upward from a front end of the bottom panel 12, and a back wall 20 extending upward from a back end of the bottom panel 12. The front wall 18 is significantly lower than the side walls 14, 16 or the back wall 20.

The bottom panel 12 includes a channel or opening 22 that extends from the back end of the bottom panel 12 toward the front end. Similarly, the back wall 20 includes a channel or opening 24 that extends from a bottom portion of the back wall 20 toward a top portion. Together, the channels 22, 24 form a contiguous opening along the back and bottom walls 20, 12.

The channels 22, 24 are sized to provide access for a pusher arm 26 of a pusher dispensing system 28 (shown in FIG. 4). The pusher 26 is typically driven by a spring or other similar arrangement. As an item 30 is removed from the front of a shelf, the pusher arm 26 forces the remaining items 30 forward. One or more pusher dispensing systems 28 can be placed on a shelf at a retail store.

The tray 10 is designed to hold a number of items 30 that can be sold at the retail store. The present tray 10 having the channels 22, 24 allows one to place the entire tray in the pusher dispensing system 28 (shown in FIG. 5). Since the tray 10 can be loaded with a number of items 30, this allows for quickly loading the pusher system 28. Because the channels allow the pusher arm 26 to move into the tray 10, as the items 30 are removed from the front, the pusher arm 26 forces the remaining items 30 to move forward.

While the tray 10 is shown having a channel 24 extending up the back wall 20, it can work with just the channel 22 in the bottom wall 12. However, in this configuration, care must be taken in positioning the pusher arm 26 in the tray 10 when loading the pusher dispensing system 28.

The tray can be formed from paperboard, corrugated paper, corrugated plastic or other similar materials. The tray can include multiple components glued or otherwise affixed together, or can be formed from a single blank of material.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show blanks 32, 34 and 36 that can be folded and glued or otherwise connected (i.e., assembled) to form trays for use with a pusher dispensing system 28.

A tray that can be made in accordance with the present invention can be part of a more complete container for holding goods (e.g., a box having five to six complete or partial walls to enclose goods therein). In this regard, the container can include removable portions to enable one to convert the container into a tray that can be placed in a pusher dispensing system 28 (although technically a “tray” is a “container,” as used herein a “container” is a more complete enclosure than a tray and requires removal of one or more portions to form a tray that can be used with the pusher dispensing system).

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show blanks 38, 40 and 42 for forming containers that can be converted into trays. Turning first to FIG. 9, the blank 38 includes a removable panel 44 that forms part of a back wall and bottom wall of the container. The removable panel 44 includes frangible connections 46 that allow for easy disengagement of the panel from the remainder of the container. The blank 38 also includes perforations 48 that allow for removal of portions of flaps 50 that are folded to form a top, front portion of the container. The blank 38 includes a film 52 that covers the portion of the bottom wall of the container that is to be removed. The film 52 can be clear or translucent.

Similar to FIG. 9, FIG. 10 shows a blank 40 having a removable panel 54 that forms part of a back wall and a bottom wall of the container, as well as fully removable panels 56 that form a top wall of the container. Each of the removable portions 54, 56 have frangible connections 58 to the blank 40. The blank 40 includes a film 60 that covers both the back wall and bottom wall portions that will be open with removal of panel 54.

FIGS. 11-15 and 25-28 illustrate assembly of a container from a blank and use of the container as a tray after removal of various panels of the container. In this regard, FIG. 11 is another view of a blank 42 that is similar to the blank 40 of FIG. 10. The blank 42 of FIG. 11 does not include a film. FIG. 12 shows an assembled form of the blank 42 containing items, e.g., goods 62. In the illustration of FIGS. 11-15 and 25-28, the goods 62 have a rectangular shape. In FIG. 12, a portion of the removable panel 54 has been disengaged from the container. FIG. 13 shows the removable panel 54 fully disengaged from the container forming an opening over a portion of the back wall and bottom wall of the container. FIG. 14 shows a portion of the flaps 56 forming a top wall partially disengaged from the container and FIG. 15 shows a front perspective view of a tray 64 made from the container of blank 42 that can be used in a pusher dispensing system 28.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective front view of the container formed from blank 42 of FIG. 11 almost fully assembled and loaded with goods 62. FIG. 26 shows a rear perspective view of the container fully assembled. The container can be shipped in this condition. The flaps and panels of the blank 42 are folded and glued, taped or otherwise secured to form the fully assembled container.

FIGS. 27 and 28 shows the converted tray 64 in a pusher dispensing assembly 28. The pusher dispensing assembly 28 includes a back pusher arm 26 that urges the goods 62 to the front of a display (via a spring or other similar structure). As a good 62 is removed, the arm 26 moves the remaining goods 62 forward.

FIGS. 16-24 illustrate a blank for forming a container that can be converted to a tray for use with items have a cylindrical shape and the container and tray. The blank 66 of FIG. 16 is similar to the blank 38 of FIG. 9 (and is similarly numbered). FIG. 17 shows the blank 66 partially assembled and ready to receive goods. FIG. 18 shows the partially assembled blank 66 filled with bottles 68. FIG. 19 shows a fully assembled container 70 with the top flaps 50 closed over the bottles 68.

FIG. 20 shows the container with the top flaps 50 removed. FIG. 21 shows the container with the panel 44 partially removed. FIG. 22 shows the container, now a tray with the panels removed, being inserted or loaded into a pusher dispensing system 28 and FIG. 23 shows it in the system 28.

FIG. 24 illustrates movement of the film 52 after use in the pusher dispensing system 28.

The container can be formed to fully or partially enclose the items or goods contained therein. The container can also include one or more windows. It can also include indicia or other markings, etc. printed thereon. Moreover, the container can include an opening for the bottom channel and/or the back channel as initially configured and not include detachably connected panels covering such channels.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described. 

We claim:
 1. A tray for use with a pusher dispensing system comprising: a bottom panel; a first side wall extending upward from a first side of the bottom panel; a second side wall extending upward from a second side of the bottom panel; a back wall extending upward from a back end of the bottom panel; and, wherein the bottom panel includes a bottom channel configured to receive a pusher arm of a pusher dispensing system.
 2. The tray of claim 1 wherein the back wall includes a back channel configured to receive the pusher arm, wherein the back channel is contiguous with the bottom channel in the bottom panel.
 3. The tray of claim 1 further comprising a front wall extending upward from a front end of the bottom panel.
 4. The tray of claim 1 wherein the bottom channel in the bottom wall extends from the back end part way to the front end.
 5. The tray of claim 1 wherein the bottom wall, first side wall, second side wall, back wall, and front wall are formed from a single blank of material.
 6. The tray of claim 1 wherein the front wall has a first height and the first and second side walls have a second height greater than the first height.
 7. The tray of claim 1 further comprising a film covering the bottom channel.
 8. A container for transporting items and converting to a tray for use with a pusher dispensing system comprising: a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom wall having a detachably connected panel for forming an open channel in the bottom wall when removed, and a top wall.
 9. The container of claim 8 wherein the back wall includes a detachably connected panel for forming an open channel in the back wall when removed that is contiguous with the open channel in the bottom wall.
 10. The container of claim 8 wherein the top wall includes a first portion that is detachably connected.
 11. The container of claim 8 wherein the entire top wall is detachably connected.
 12. The container of claim 11 wherein the top wall is formed from a first flap connected to the first side wall by a perforated fold line and a second flap connected to the second side wall by a perforated fold line.
 13. The container of claim 8 further comprising a front wall.
 14. The container of claim 13 wherein the front hall has a first height and the first and second side walls have a second height greater than the first height.
 15. The container of claim 9 further comprising a film over the open channel in the bottom wall.
 16. The container of claim 15 further comprising over the open channel in the back wall.
 17. The container of claim 15 wherein the film is translucent.
 18. The container of claim 8 wherein the open channel in the bottom wall has a frangible connection to the bottom wall.
 19. The container of claim 8 wherein the container is formed from a single blank of material.
 20. The container of claim 19 wherein the material is paperboard. 